Natural Ways to Increase Estrogen Levels

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JONATHAN CROSWELL Last Updated: Aug 14, 2017

Jonathan Croswell

Jonathan Croswell has spent more than five years writing and editing for a number of newspapers and online publications, including the "Omaha World-Herald" and "New York Newsday." Croswell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Nebraska and is currently pursuing a Master's of Health and Exercise Science at Portland State University.

Estrogen is the female hormone that plays a role in various functions throughout the body. For women, estrogen helps maintain female features and is vital to your body's fertility. Estrogen also influences your mood and helps maintain your sexual organs. Menopause and age can both conspire to lower your body's estrogen levels, but there are several things you can do to boost estrogen naturally.

Stop Smoking

The easiest way to boost estrogen levels in your body is the simplest one, if you're a smoker, stop smoking. Smoking lowers your body's estrogen levels. In fact, the reproductive systems of both men and women can be affected by smoking, although estrogen is only relevant to the fertility of women. It's important to bear in mind that even secondhand smoke can cause a lowered presence of estrogen in your body.

Chasteberry

Chasteberry is an herb taken from the chasteberry tree. There is some evidence that it improves your body's fertility by stimulating the pituitary gland to produce sex hormones—estrogen being one of them. Chasteberry has been used for thousands of years, mostly by women to ease menstrual problems and to stimulate the production of breast milk. Always consult a doctor before using supplements, especially if you think you may be pregnant.

Dong Quai

Dong quai is an herb that's been used in traditional Chinese medicines for centuries. Its primary use is as a treatment for menstrual problems, but some believe it also helps regulate and balance estrogen in the body. Dong Quai is known to interact with blood-thinning medications, such as wafarin. Consult a physician before using herbal supplements if you are taking prescription medications.

Red Clover

The red clover herb is a prairie herb native to Europe. It is used to regulate menstrual problems and hormonal imbalances. Red clover contains phytoestrogens—isoflavones—estrogen-like compounds found in plants that help stimulate estrogen production in the body. For this reason any woman on estrogen boosting medications should not use this supplement.